A Legacy of Philanthropy

In 1930 a small group of friends who cared about animals founded the Warren County Humane Society. 

We have a rich history, one that is remarkable for our rural location.  We are now Paws Along The River Humane Society and still carry both names. We never want to forget where we have been, it helps light the way to our future. 

Please join PAWS in our journey to provide exceptional animal care for our homeless, abused, and injured animals.  Here are some ways you can be a part of our history.

Plan Your Legacy - A Legacy of Kindness

Tomorrow, what will happen tomorrow?  The only way to know for sure is to put a plan into action.  For thousands of homeless animals every year, there can be no such thing as tomorrow without the kindness and caring that you make possible.  Fortunately, we have friends like you who feel the same way. 

CONTINUE YOUR SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT BY REMEMBERING US IN YOUR WILL...

The Paws Along The River's planned giving program ensures that animals who have known hunger, loneliness, and suffering will always have a safe refuge and a brighter tomorrow.  Here, at our special place for animals, every cat, dog, bird, bunny, horse, and barnyard animal will be touched by this work of love and always have friends who are working to keep them happy and healthy.  Through a variety of plans, this program not only empowers you to provide for animals in need but also offers peace of mind and security for you and your family. 

Through planned giving, you can:

• Generate income now and into the future
• Reduce taxes
• Preserve wealth for your family

Your legacy of kindness helps ensure food, shelter, medical care, and homes are provided for animals today as well as in the years to come. 

Click here to request your free copy of “Planning Your Legacy of Kindness To Animals” - a guide to planned giving.

Tax-Wish Giving Strategies

You can save on taxes two ways by donating appreciated stock directly to PAWS.  And if you are 70½ years or older, you can make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from your IRA to PAWS.  You may use this gift to satisfy the required minimum distribution from your IRA while reducing your taxable income, even if you don’t itemize. Please check with your financial advisor to confirm your specific circumstances.

Here are a variety of ways to continue your compassionate support for PAWS that may help reduce income taxes, estate taxes, and capital gains taxes.

Paws Along The River Humane Society of Warren, Pa.  A nonprofit charitable organization, presently located at 212 Elm Street, Warren, Pa.  Tax ID#: (23-7107312)

Charitable Distribution from Your IRA

You can use your required minimum distribution (RBD) to make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from your IRA directly to PAWS, so it does not create taxable income for you. 

You can use your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) to make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from your IRA directly to Paws Along The River, so it does not create taxable income for you.

Here’s how it works:

• You must be 70 ½ years or older.
• An individual may transfer up to a total of $100,000 per year and a married couple may give up to $200,000.
• Your gift must be transferred directly from the IRA account to Paws Along The River.
• Your gift is a transfer of funds from your IRA to Paws Along The River, so it does not create taxable income for you and is not considered a charitable tax deduction.
• The transfer of funds counts towards your annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA.

If you’re interested in this popular way to support Paws Along The River, please contact Paws Executive Director at (814) 726-1961 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Retirement Plan

Retirement plan gifts are popular gift options for many PAWS supporters.  Because retirement plans are taxed differently than most assets, they may actually become a tax liability.  

Many people are surprised to learn that their pension and/or retirement plan can be a practical and even preferential way to help Paws Along The River put dogs, cats, birds horses, and other animals into loving homes.

After all, you need those funds to live on in your golden years.  Right?

Well, don’t forget that your IRA, 401(k), or 403(b) plan has a beneficiary for any funds that you don’t eventually use.  Designating Paws Along the River as a beneficiary for part (or all) of the remaining balance of these funds is a great way to leave a lasting impact on our community.

To designate Paws Along The River as a beneficiary of a qualified retirement plan, life insurance policy, or other financial account, please use the following information:

Paws Along The River Humane Society a nonprofit charitable organization, presently located at 212 Elm Street Warren, Pa. 16365

Tax ID#:  (23-7107312)

Email to yourself

Gift Annuity

Picture this.  You can provide a lifetime of help for a number of animals, all while providing lifetime income for yourself and/or a loved one.   Your one-time gift to Paws Along The River pays you back with fixed and guaranteed income for as long as you live.  Afterward, pets in need will get the full benefit of your generosity. The older you are the larger the return you receive on your annuity gift.  Plus, part of your donation is immediately tax-deductible. If instead of cash, you fund your gift with appreciated property, such as stocks and mutual funds, you can receive additional tax benefits.  You’ll want advice from your legal and financial advisors.

Gifts of Real Estate

When you transfer ownership of real estate to Paws Along The River, you can reduce your taxes by deducting the appraised value of your property from your income tax liability and by avoiding capital gains tax liability.  This kind of gift also removes the property from your estate and relieves you of any future management worries.  If interested in this type of gift, please contact Paws Executive Director at (814) 726-1961 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Gifts of Stock

By giving stock bonds, and mutual funds that have appreciated in value, you may receive a charitable income tax deduction for the full market value of the stock (up to a maximum of 30% of your adjusted gross income) and avoid paying the capital gains tax on any increase in the values of the stock. Learn More

For example, you give a gift of $5,000 in stock that you purchased for $500. You save $1,350 on your income taxes (if you’re in a 27% tax bracket), and you avoid paying capital gains tax on the $4,500 of appreciation. Attorney to review

Gifts – Will or Trust

After providing for your family, you can leave a specific amount or a percentage of your estate to Paws Along the River.  In order to make such a gift to PAWS, you will want to speak with your attorney and make such written provision in your Will or Trust.  Charitable Lead Trust and Charitable Remainder Trust are additional ways to consider your legacy.  Please contact Paws Executive Director at (814) 726-1961 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Life Insurance

A gift of life insurance is an affordable way to secure tax savings during your lifetime while continuing your support for Paws.

One of the most flexible and inexpensive ways you can make a big difference for the animals in our shelter is with your life insurance policy.  Whether you’re contributing to a policy now, have a paid-up policy, or have employer-provided life insurance, it’s simple to put your insurance to work making pets safer, healthier, and happier.  There are a variety of options.  Through a simple form, you can add Paws Along The River as a beneficiary of the policy in five, ten, fifty, and one hundred percent or any amount you choose.  Another approach is to name Paws Along The River as a secondary or final beneficiary in case someone you are providing for can’t claim his or her portion. 

Additionally, if you name Paws Along The River Humane Society as the owner of the policy, there may be several other significant tax advantages. You may want to consider purchasing a new life insurance policy.  Your small investment will prove to provide a huge impact on the well-being of the animals here locally in Warren. Please contact Paws Executive Director at (814) 726-1961 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Gift of Cash and Outright Gifts

This type of gift is simple and eligible for an immediate charitable tax credit.

Click here for Cash and Outright Gift Giving

Donor-Advised Fund

When you give, you want your charitable donations to be as effective as possible.  Donor-advised funds are the fastest-growing charitable giving vehicle in the United States because they are one of the easiest and most tax-advantageous ways to give to charity.  A Donor-Advised Fund is often administered by a financial services company or a community foundation. It allows you to combine the most favorable tax benefits with the flexibility to easily support your favorite charities, like PAWS.  The new tax code will make DAF’s a great tool for the non-itemizers who wish to bundle their charitable gifts in one year (in order to get the tax deduction) while ensuring that PAWS will continue to receive their annual support.

Please check with your financial advisor to confirm your specific circumstances for all Legacy Gift Giving Options. To learn more about making a gift to PAWS using any of the above giving formats, please contact the Executive Director (814) 726-1961 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Giving & Helping FAQ’s

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If you have a question please call PAWS at (814) 726-1961.